Kentile sign relocating, but staying in Gowanus

Kentile sign relocating, but staying in Gowanus

The Kentile sign is moving out. Photo by Matthew Taub

By Matthew Taub

Special to Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn Brief

An agreement appears to have been reached with the developer to dismantle but preserve the sign so that it can be relocated to another location in Gowanus. The owner, Iyahu Cohen, has agreed to donate it to the nonprofit Gowanus Alliance, which will repurpose it at a new location.

“We love the sign, and we heard the voices of so many community members,” Cohen said in a statement. “We will work hard to preserve the letters during removal.”

City Councilman Brad Lander helped broker the deal, which was first reported in the New York Times.

“Everyone would love to see the sign right where it is,” said Lander. “But given the structural conditions and the needs of the owner and his legal rights, we’re very grateful that he’s willing to bear the extra cost to preserve the letters and donate them.”

“The sign is saved!” rejoiced Stefanie Wood, co-founder of ‘Save Our Sign. “But it’s with a caveat–moving to another location in Gowanus (we hope). Stay tuned, as we are going to watch the process like a hawk.”

June 13, 2014 - 1:30pm

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